Scheduling Resource Mapping of Inter-Cell Multi Transmission/Reception Point Operation

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/877,197, filed on Jul. 29, 2022, which is a continuation of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN2020/119940, filed on Oct. 9, 2020, the disclosure of each which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, including but not limited to systems and methods for resource mapping of inter-cell multi-transmission/reception point (TRP) operation.

The standardization organization Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently in the process of specifying a new Radio Interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR) as well as a Next Generation Packet Core Network (NG-CN or NGC). The 5G NR will have three main components: a 5G Access Network (5G-AN), a 5G Core Network (5GC), and a User Equipment (UE). In order to facilitate the enablement of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC, also called Network Functions, have been simplified with some of them being software based so that they could be adapted according to need.

The example embodiments disclosed herein are directed to solving the issues relating to one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, example systems, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who read the present disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be made while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

At least one aspect is directed to a system, a method, an apparatus, or a computer-readable medium. A wireless communication device may determine at least one resource element that is scheduled for a defined communication associated with a first configuration index, and is assigned for use for at least one signal associated with a second configuration index. The wireless communication device may perform the defined communication using resource elements other than the determined at least one resource element.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a SS/PBCH block (SSB). In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be same as the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location (QCL) source corresponding to the PDSCH. The SSB may be used for RRM measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a serving cell of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The TCI state may be associated with the PDSCH.

In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as a QCL source of a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for mobility measurement. The TRS or the CSI-RS may include a QCL source of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be used for positioning.

In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as or associated with a QCL source corresponding to at least one other signal or channel other than the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the at least one other signal or channel may include another PDSCH, and a configuration index of the another PDSCH may be same as the first configuration index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a SS/PBCH block. In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be different from the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location (QCL) source corresponding to the PDSCH. The SSB may be used for RRM measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a serving cell of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be indicated in a TCI state indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The TCI state may be associated with the PDSCH.

In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as a QCL source of a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for mobility measurement. The TRS or the CSI-RS may include a QCL source of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the SSB may be used for positioning. In some embodiments, the SSB may be used as or associated with a QCL source corresponding to at least one other signal or channel other than the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the at least one other signal or channel may include another PDSCH, and a configuration index of the another PDSCH is same as the first configuration index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In some embodiments, the first configuration index is same as the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location (QCL) source corresponding to the PDSCH. The CSI-RS may be used for mobility measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling, the TCI state list associated with a serving cell of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The TCI state may be associated with the PDSCH.

In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be used for positioning, tracking, or computation of layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) or layer 1 signal-to-interference ratio (L1-SINR). In some embodiments, the CSI-RS maybe used as or associated with a QCL source corresponding to at least one other signal or channel other than the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the at least one other signal or channel may include another PDSCH, and a configuration index of the another PDSCH is same as the first configuration index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be different from the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location QCL source corresponding to the PDSCH. The SSB may be used for RRM measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a serving cell of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state of a TCI state list activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The TCI state list may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be indicated in a TCI state indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The TCI state may be associated with the PDSCH.

In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be used for positioning, tracking, or computation of layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) or layer 1 signal-to-interference ratio (L1-SINR). In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may be used as or associated with a QCL) source corresponding to at least one other signal or channel other than the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the at least one other signal or channel may include another PDSCH, and a configuration index of the another PDSCH is same as the first configuration index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include another PDSCH. In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be same as or different from the second configuration index. In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a sounding reference signal (SRS). In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be same as the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include spatial relation information (SRI) information, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the SRS may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location (QCL) source corresponding to the PUSCH. The SRS may be used for mobility measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information (SRI) index configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling. The spatial relation information (SRI) index may be associated with a serving cell of the PUSCH. In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The spatial relation information may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PUSCH. In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information (SRI) index indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The spatial relation information may be associated with the PUSCH.

In some embodiments, the SRS may be used for channel sounding, positioning, antenna switching, carrier switching, computation of reference signal received power (RSRP) or signal and interference to noise ratio (SINR), or configuration of one or more transmit power control (TPC) commands. In some embodiments, the SRS may be used as or associated with a QCL source corresponding to at least one other signal or channel other than the PUSCH. In some embodiments, the at least one other signal or channel may include another PUSCH, and a configuration index of the another PUSCH is same as the first configuration index.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include a sounding reference signal (SRS). In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be different from the second configuration index.

In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include spatial relation information (SRI) index, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index. In some embodiments, the SRS may be used as or associated with a quasi co-location (QCL) source corresponding to the PUSCH. The SRS may be used for mobility measurement, or may be configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information configured by radio resource control (RRC) signalling. The spatial relation information (SRI) index may be associated with a serving cell of the PUSCH. In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information activated by a media access control control element (MAC CE) signalling. The spatial relation information (SRI) index may be associated with a bandwidth part (BWP) of the PUSCH. In some embodiments, the SRS may be indicated in spatial relation information indicated by a downlink control information (DCI) signalling. The spatial relation information (SRI) index may be associated with the PUSCH.

In some embodiments, the SRS may be used for channel sounding, positioning, antenna switching, carrier switching, computation of reference signal received power (RSRP) or signal and interference to noise ratio (SINR), or configuration of one or more transmit power control (TPC) commands.

In some embodiments, the defined communication may include transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In some embodiments, the at least one signal may include another PUSCH. In some embodiments, the first configuration index may be same as or different from the second configuration index. In some embodiments, the first configuration index or the second configuration index may include spatial relation information (SRI) index, a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state index, a physical cell identity (PCI) index, or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index.

At least one aspect is directed to a system, a method, an apparatus, or a computer-readable medium. A wireless communication device may receive, from a wireless communication node, an indication that a set of resources is scheduled for a first defined communication and a second defined communication. The first defined communication is associated with a first physical cell identity (PCI) value, and the second defined communication is associated with a second PCI value.

In some embodiments, the first defined communication may be one of: a downlink reception or an uplink transmission, and the second defined communication is another of: the downlink reception or the uplink transmission. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may deter to perform only one of the first defined communication or the second defined communication, using the scheduled set of resources.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may determine that the set of resources is configured or indicated for at least one of: the first defined communication or the first PCI value. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may determine that the second communication would overlap with the first defined communication in at least part of the set of resources. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may determine, responsive to the determination that the second communication would overlap with the first defined communication, to perform only the first defined communication, using the scheduled set of resources.

In some embodiments, the first defined communication may include a SS/PBCH block (SSB) that is used for radio resource management (RRM) measurement, or is configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE). In some embodiments, the first defined communication may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) that is used as a quasi co-location (QCL) source of another first defined communication associated with the first PCI value.

In some embodiments, the second defined communication may include a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a preamble random access channel (PRACH), or a sounding reference signal (SRS). In some embodiments, the first defined communication may include a sounding reference signal (SRS) that is used for radio resource management (RRM) measurement, or is configured in a higher-layer parameter MeasObjectNR information element (IE).

In some embodiments, the second defined communication may include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) which is without a measurement gap.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first defined communication or the second defined communication may include a plurality of downlink receptions within a reception timing window. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may determine that a largest time difference between any two of the plurality of downlink receptions exceeds a cyclic prefix (CP).

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may perform only one of the plurality of downlink receptions within the reception timing window. In some embodiments, the one of the plurality of downlink receptions may have a highest priority among the plurality of downlink receptions. In some embodiments, the reception timing window may include a set of symbols or slots. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may perform only a subset of the plurality of downlink receptions within the reception timing window.

In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of downlink receptions may be from a same cell or configured with a same physical cell identity (PCI) value. In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of downlink receptions may be associated with one or more PCI values. In some embodiments, the reception timing window may include a set of symbols or slots.

In some embodiments, a wireless communication node may transmit, to a wireless communication device, an indication that a set of resources is scheduled for a first defined communication and a second defined communication. In some embodiments, the first defined communication may be associated with a first physical cell identity (PCI) value, and the second defined communication may be associated with a second PCI value.

Various example embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying figures to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present solution. As would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, after reading the present disclosure, various changes or modifications to the examples described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present solution. Thus, the present solution is not limited to the example embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Additionally, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely example approaches. Based upon design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed methods or processes can be re-arranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or acts in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless expressly stated otherwise.

The following acronyms are used throughout the present disclosure:

illustrates an example wireless communication network, and/or system,in which techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following discussion, the wireless communication networkmay be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of things (NB-IoT) network, and is herein referred to as “network.” Such an example networkincludes a base station(hereinafter “BS”; also referred to as wireless communication node) and a user equipment device(hereinafter “UE”; also referred to as wireless communication device) that can communicate with each other via a communication link(e.g., a wireless communication channel), and a cluster of cells,,,,,andoverlaying a geographical area. In, the BSand UEare contained within a respective geographic boundary of cell. Each of the other cells,,,,andmay include at least one base station operating at its allocated bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its intended users.

For example, the BSmay operate at an allocated channel transmission bandwidth to provide adequate coverage to the UE. The BSand the UEmay communicate via a downlink radio frame, and an uplink radio framerespectively. Each radio frame/may be further divided into sub-frames/which may include data symbols/. In the present disclosure, the BSand UEare described herein as non-limiting examples of “communication nodes,” generally, which can practice the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of wireless and/or wired communications, in accordance with various embodiments of the present solution.

illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless communication systemfor transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM/OFDMA signals) in accordance with some embodiments of the present solution. The systemmay include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. In one illustrative embodiment, systemcan be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as the wireless communication environmentof, as described above.

Systemgenerally includes a base station(hereinafter “BS”) and a user equipment device(hereinafter “UE”). The BSincludes a BS (base station) transceiver module, a BS antenna, a BS processor module, a BS memory module, and a network communication module, each module being coupled and interconnected with one another as necessary via a data communication bus. The UEincludes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module, a UE antenna, a UE memory module, and a UE processor module, each module being coupled and interconnected with one another as necessary via a data communication bus. The BScommunicates with the UEvia a communication channel, which can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for transmission of data as described herein.

As would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, systemmay further include any number of modules other than the modules shown in. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a suitable manner for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure